SPY vs SPYT
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF
Which is better, SPY or SPYT?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | SPYT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.92% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $158M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 20.68% |
| Holdings | 505 | 5 |
| YTD Return | +12.19%Best | +11.33% |
| 1Y Return | +18.53%Best | +15.78% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.88% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.69% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.1% | 11.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8% | -18.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.5 years | $15,235Best | $14,151 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Defiance ETFs, LLC |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Mar 7, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 7, 2024 to Sep 9, 2026 (2.5 years).
SPY vs SPYT growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 2.5 years both funds cover.
SPY vs SPYT Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF (SPYT) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC. Over the past year SPY returned +18.53% while SPYT returned +15.78%. Year to date, SPY is up 12.19% versus a gain of 11.33% for SPYT.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.1% compared with 11.2% for SPYT. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -18.8% for SPY and -18.3% for SPYT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while SPYT charges 0.92%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $92 annually, a gap of $83 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 20.68% for SPYT.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 504 holdings in SPY and 2 in SPYT, totalling 100.0% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 504 positions we hold weights for in SPY and 2 in SPYT, against full books of 505 and 5.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and SPYT you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or SPYT?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while SPYT charges 0.92%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $83 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or SPYT?
Over the past year SPY returned +18.53% vs +15.78% for SPYT, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or SPYT?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 12.1% annualized versus 11.2% for SPYT. Worst drawdown: SPY -18.8% vs SPYT -18.3%.
Should I hold both SPY and SPYT?
SPY and SPYT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or SPYT?
SPY yields 0.98% while SPYT yields 20.68%, so SPYT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPYT better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.